Team Norway’s grip on Rally of Nations Guanajuato has been loosened by Eyvind Brynildsen’s retirement after his Mitsubishi wouldn’t start out of parc fermé on Sunday morning.
Brynildsen and Mads Østberg had worked to build 64-point lead over Team Europe through the first two days of the León-based event. Now, however, Norwegian success rests firmly on the shoulders of Østberg.
Not that those are bad shoulders to be relying on – the former Rally Portugal winner was fastest on every stage through Friday and Saturday.
Brynildsen told DirtFish: “A couple of times yesterday the car was a little bit slow starting, but this morning there was nothing. It was just turning over. We pushed it into service, but there was nothing we could do – it looks like there’s no compression.
“It’s really disappointing. Now we just have to see what Mads can do. Yesterday was a lot of fun. OK, I’m used to driving a Rally2 car back at home and as Toksport’s reserve driver in the WRC – so this Group N car felt quite heavy and not so responsive.
“But coming here to this rally is always a big pleasure. The roads and the atmosphere, they’re fantastic. Now we have to go and sit by the swimming pool and wait to see what Mads is able to do for the rest of the event. It could be tough, Europe is not so far behind.”
Norway is 111 points ahead of Europe with five stages to run on the final day. France is another 156 points further back.
